ATSC plans for next-gen TV

US standards body the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) has set up new Implementation Teams for two new emerging standards – ATSC 2.0 and the Mobile Emergency Alert System (M-EAS).

“Today’s announcement is a significant step in the move to expand the capabilities of ATSC broadcast TV. We want to keep the ATSC standard relevant and up-to-date for broadcasters and consumer device manufacturers. The introduction of Implementation Teams for both ATSC 2.0 and M-EAS underscores our progress and will help drive next-generation technologies toward marketplace introduction,” said ATSC President Mark Richer.

Composed of representatives from companies developing enhancements to digital TV broadcast standards, the new Implementation Teams will pursue a wide range of initiatives that may include market studies, prototype development, simulations, demonstrations, interoperability ‘plugfest’ testing, field trials, compliance, certification, branding, marketing and promotion, as well as further standards recommendations to ATSC.

The backwards-compatible ATSC 2.0 standard will be a bundle of new capabilities including Internet-related features, advanced video coding, conditional access and enhanced service guides for TV broadcasters. ATSC 2.0 also will include the capabilities of the recently approved ATSC A/103 ‘NonReal-Time’ (NRT) standard that allows broadcasters to deliver file-based content, including programmes and clips to both fixed location and Mobile DTV receivers. Among other things, this new NRT standard will give broadcasters the capability to deliver content that a viewer may watch at their convenience.

“The overarching goal of ATSC 2.0 is to create new value for viewers, consumer electronics manufacturers, and broadcasters. To that end the ATSC 2.0 Implementation Team provides a venue for industry discussions of issues related to commercialisation of the emerging ATSC 2.0 Standard. The 2.0 Implementation Team may address business and operational requirements for the successful roll-out of ATSC 2.0, which is nearing final standardisation,” Richer explained.

David Siegler of Cox Media will serve as chairman of the ATSC 2.0 Implementation Team. ATSC 2.0 is expected to become a Candidate Standard in the second quarter of 2013.